BREAKING NEWS

BREAKING NEWS

Paul F. Dattola

Paul F. Dattola, 77, a resident of Mercy Living Center in Tupper Lake for the past seven years, passed into the arms of our Lord on Sunday, June 30, 2013, with loving family by his side.

Born on Oct. 18, 1935, in Tupper Lake, he was the son of the late Daniel W. and Pasqualine (Booking) Dattola of Tupper Lake.

Paul graduated from Tupper Lake High School in June of 1953, where he enjoyed playing football and baseball. He attended Clarkson College. He married Patricia King of Saranac Lake at Holy Name Church on April 7, 1956, in Tupper Lake. Paul worked for his father, Dan, at the Tupper Lake Supply, eventually purchasing the business. Following the sale of Tupper Lake Supply to his uncle, the late Philip Dattola, he and his wife purchased Shaheen’s Motel in 1977. While still operating the motel, Paul drove tractor-trailer for Jim Larkin, a job that he truly loved. Paul and Pat sold the motel in 1985 and built a home on Park Street, where they retired.

Paul always enjoyed spending time at his camp, Flat Rock Park, which he handed down to his sons. Paul loved the beauty of the Adirondacks as he fished, hunted and hiked with family and friends. He especially enjoyed spending time with all of his grandchildren, playing their childhood games for hours on end. Some of his hobbies included traveling (when possible), reading, collecting a variety of firearms for his gun shop and spending time with his family.

Paul was also a member of the Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department, where he enjoyed participating with the Vagabond Racing Team. He and his father, Dan, contributed to the first volunteer ambulance in Tupper Lake.

Paul loved being a husband, father and grandfather, and his smile lit up the room. He remained a friend, confidant and advisor to his family right up to the very end.

Paul was predeceased by his loving wife, Patricia (King) Dattola, on April 11, 2009. Paul is survived by his four children and their spouses: Deborah (Dattola) and Wayne Leonard, Susan (Dattola) and James Willett, Paul D. and Patricia (Becker) Dattola, all of Tupper Lake, and Anthony “Tony” and Belinda Dattola of Croydon, N.H.; seven grandchildren: Jeremy (and Misty) Leonard of Boyd, Md., Michael (and Brenna) Willett, Maxwell Willett, Jason Dattola (and Amanda Kelly) and Allysa Dattola, all of Tupper Lake; Christopher Dattola of Long Island and Toni-Nichole (Dattola) (and Van) Halberg of Newport, N.H.; six great-grandchildren: Mackenzie and Katherine Leonard, Ryder and Evelyn Willett, and Jesse and Adrianna Dattola. Paul is also survived by one sister, Anne (Dattola) Shaheen, his Aunt Bernadette Dattola, and many nieces and nephews.

Paul’s story does not end with his passing. His strong faith, his will to live and the love in his smile will remain in the hearts and minds of all who knew him. He was the rare kind of man whose values never changed as time went by. His quiet strength taught his family to set goals and gave them all the confidence to pursue them. Paul always encouraged their dreams, offered wisdom and guidance. He worked hard for his family, always standing by them. He touched the lives of so many people.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Alphonsus Church in Tupper Lake at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 8. The family will receive friends prior to the service at 10 a.m. A burial for both Paul and Pat will take place afterward at the Holy Name Cemetery in Tupper Lake.

Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the Tupper Lake rescue squad or the Mercy Healthcare Activity Center. Online condolences can be made at www.stuartfortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.